Bethesda Has 2 Best STEM High Schools: Newsweek

BETHESDA, MD — When it comes to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Bethesda has two of the best 500 high schools in America, according to a new ranking. Newsweek released the list earlier this month, based on data from STEM.org, a STEM education research and credentialing organization.

"Children are natural STEM students. They love to explore," Newsweek Global Editor in Chief Nancy Cooper said about the rankings. "We need to make sure that innate drive, curiosity and creativity aren't lost along the way."

According to the report, Holton-Arms School and Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda are among the nation's top STEM schools.

Holton-Arms School is an independent college-preparatory school for girls in grades 3 through 12. It's located at 7303 River Rd. Newsweek has given the private school an overall score of 93.07 out of 100.

Walt Whitman High School is a public institution located at 7100 Whittier Blvd. It received a score of 90.31 out of 100.

Here's where they land on Newsweek's list:

Holton-Arms School
Address: 7303 River Rd.
School Type: Private
STEM Rank: 243

Walt Whitman High School
Address: 7100 Whittier Blvd.
School Type: Public
STEM Rank: 419

"With high-profile institutions in big urban areas and small but strong programs across the nation, America's future in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is in good hands," Cooper said.

Newsweek and STEM.org determined the rankings by utilizing regression analysis to evaluate which primary and secondary institutions in America best offer students quality experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while also preparing them for post-school life.

Texas had three schools crack the top 10 best STEM schools overall in the country. The School of Science and Engineering, located in Dallas, Texas, was ranked as the No. 1 STEM school in the United States.

STEM schools in eight different states made the top 10:

1. School of Science and Engineering: Dallas, Texas
2. School for the Talented and Gifted: Dallas, Texas
3. Stanford Online High School: Redwood City, California
4. Bronx High School of Science: Bronx, New York
5. University of Chicago Laboratory Schools: Chicago, Illinois
6. Liberal Arts and Science Academy: Austin, Texas
7. The Early College at Guilford: Greensboro, North Carolina
8. Maine School of Science and Mathematics: Limestone, Maine
9. Cranbrook Schools: Bloomsfield Hills, Michigan
10. Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science: Worcester, Massachusetts

The full report on the best STEM schools in America is available on Newsweek.org.